Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind.  In 2010 the Department conducted a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme, in consultation with various stakeholders.  One of the issues examined was eligibility for the scheme.  Disability groups in particular were unhappy at the fact that some people were being issued with Disabled Parking Permits because they had particular medical conditions rather than an actual mobility impairment.  As a result of the review the scheme was revised so that permits are now given on the basis of mobility impairment rather than the diagnosis of a particular condition or illness.  This is in line with the original intention of the scheme.

The possibility of extending the eligibility criteria for the scheme to include people with autism and other invisible disabilities has been raised on a number of occasions and the Department has consulted extensively with the joint issuing authorities of the scheme, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), on this matter.   In light of this consultation there are currently no plans to change the criteria, though the Department will continue to keep the matter under review.